DC Has a New Superboy (But Should We Be Worried?)

In the DC Universe, Superman didn’t initially appear as a fully-fledged hero but as a younger character known as Superboy, first appearing in issue #101 of “More Fun Comics”. His past as Smallville’s superhero was later erased during the “Crisis on Infinite Earths” reboot. For a period, Superboy seemed to no longer exist, but his history was eventually reinstated… only to be removed again by the New 52 reboot. Now, Superboy is once more part of the main DC narrative, making a comeback in the “Summer of Superman” event. In issue #1087 of “Action Comics”, writer Mark Waid is revealing Superboy’s revised origins. Unlike before, however, Superboy won’t be appearing solo this time; he’ll be introduced alongside other characters.

Superboy Debuts in the City of Tomorrow, Yesterday

The tale begins as Superman shares his extraordinary technology with the Future Metropolis Expo, an event designed to highlight the marvelous advancements in science and technology from around the globe. As he converses with Mayor Perry White, memories of his first visit to the Expo flood back. The scene shifts to a flashback where Martha and Jonathan Kent take a fifteen-year-old Clark on a trip to the Expo as a birthday treat. They travel by bus, and while Clark is restless, Martha catches sight of his Superboy costume hidden beneath his clothes. His parents scold him, explaining that they’re not quite ready for Clark to publicly unveil himself as a superhero. Although costumed heroes have been present since World War II, they’ve become less prominent over the years. The Kents want to ensure they’re fully prepared before Clark reveals his abilities to the world, knowing full well that he will bring about significant change.

Upon reaching the City of Tomorrow, the Kent family explore the Expo, with Pa guiding Clark through displays showcasing past retired heroes. However, their idyllic day takes a turn for the worse when a man in futuristic attire assaults, claiming to have glimpsed a future that’s not worth celebrating and must be demolished. Seeing innocent people in peril, Clark’s parents urge him to uphold family honor, and Superboy steps into the limelight for the first time as a savior, shielding a group of citizens from being crushed. He engages the attacker, but faces two challenges. First, this adversary can inflict harm upon Clark, an experience he’s never encountered before, causing him confusion. Second, despite his training with his powers, he’s inexperienced in combat, unsure of how forceful a blow he can land without causing injury or worse to the attacker.

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In a brief skirmish, Superboy endures some rough handling, but recalls the teachings imparted by his parents regarding the proper use of his abilities. Knowing he can’t strike the villain directly, he instead cleverly restrains and incapacitates him, giving law enforcement enough time to intervene. However, despite rescuing the day, Superboy is disheartened by the extensive property damage that occurred, wishing he could have prevented it without causing such destruction. He’s not alone in his feelings of regret.

Everyone Was Watching Superboy

One thing the Kents were undoubtedly correct about: Superboy’s arrival marked a significant shift in everything. Swiftly, the government took notice of this enigmatic, super-powered youth and tasked Sam Lane with probing his activities. Moreover, the concluding scenes hint at a sinister figure tuned into Superboy’s first battle on television, voicing concerns that he wasn’t acting heroically but rather recklessly. He deemed Superboy’s actions unacceptable and exited, only to take flight thereafter. It turns out there are other aviators in this town, and this individual seems far more adept at this game than young Superman.

Action Comics #1087 is on sale now!

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2025-06-15 00:39